While 2026 may be considered the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac, it seems like many people have felt more like this has been the Year of the Snake. That is especially true in California, where there have been a higher number of rattlesnake sightings than normal this year, which experts say is due to the warmer weather.
There have also been some unusual snake sightings this year, like the yellow-bellied sea snake that was spotted on a California beach this summer. The snake is native to more tropical locations, so it was unusual to spot the serpent on the U.S. shoreline.
Now, people in one California town may have a new unexpected guest in their midst after the Santa Ana Police Department posted a warning on Facebook about a highly venomous snake that was spotted in the region. According to the post, which featured a snap of the snake, the reptile was between 4 and 5 feet long.
However, in an odd twist of the story, the situation may not be what it seems, possibly turning this serpent-spotting into a tall tale. Not only that, but the person who originally sent the picture to the police could be facing legal action.
Santa Ana Police Department Warned Residents About a Snake
A Sept. 29 post warned locals to be on the lookout for dangerous wildlife. “We have received reports of a snake believed to be a Gaboon Viper, last seen in a tree within a residential neighborhood near Main Street and Edinger Avenue,” the post read. “The snake is estimated to be approximately 4 to 5 feet long.”
The warning went on to tell residents to be aware of their surroundings while in the vicinity and to avoid interacting with the non-native snake (or handling it) if spotted.
Gaboon Vipers Are Highly Venomous
According to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Gaboon vipers are the largest vipers in Africa. These snakes can grow to reach up to 6 feet in length, with heads as large as 6 inches across. Their fangs are also quite impressive, and they can grow to be up to 2 inches in length.
They are known to eat both small and medium-sized prey, which can include birds and mammals. According to the Smithsonian, they are considered passive hunters, which means they lie in wait, striking when their prey gets close enough.
Unlike many other vipers, Gaboon vipers will hold onto their prey until it dies. And while their venom can cause “rapid death,” they don’t typically bite humans unless they are threatened or they bite by accident.
Commenters Were Suspicious the Snake Could Actually Be AI
The Santa Ana Police Department’s post quickly went viral and was even covered by national outlets like People magazine and the New York Post. However, many people in the comments of the post cautioned against believing everything you see online.
“This is AI-generated,” one person wrote. “The pattern becomes warped past the first 1/3, and there is a stick penetrating the rear body of the snake.”
Police Updated the Post After Getting More Information
A follow-up post was shared to the Santa Ana Police Department Facebook page on Sept. 30, revealing that the whole thing had been a massive hoax.
“Today, detectives followed up with the reporting party, who initially said he saw the snake and provided the original photo,” the post said in part. “During the follow-up investigation, he admitted the photo was AI-generated and that the report was false.”
According to CBS News, Santa Ana Police officers filed a report about the incident, and they submitted it to the district attorney’s office in the hopes that they will be able to press charges. This case highlights how advancements in AI could make it harder to tell fact from fiction, which could prove to be dangerous in some situations.
At least the good news is that Santa Ana residents can breathe a little easier now that they know the highly venomous snake isn’t really lurking around their neighborhood.